Draft Insiders’ – Preseason Top 25 Teams

Draft Insiders’ – Preseason Top 25 Teams

Notre Dame Named #1 By Draft Insiders’ Staff 

Coaches Poll Picks Ohio State #1

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

1 Notre Dame       0-0
2 Ohio State         0-0
3 Texas                  0-0
4 Oregon              0-0
5 Georgia              0-0
6 Indiana              0-0
7 Miami                 0-0
8 Texas A&M       0-0
9 Oklahoma         0-0
10 Ole Miss          0-0
11 Texas Tech       0-0
12 LSU                  0-0
13 USC                  0-0
14 Alabama         0-0
15 BYU                 0-0
16 Michigan        0-0
17 Tennessee      0-0
18 Washington   0-0
19 Penn State     0-0
20 SMU               0-0
21 Utah                0-0
22 Iowa               0-0
23 Clemson        0-0
24 Missouri        0-0
25 Houston        0-0

Coaches Poll

Rank /Team /Record/ Points

1 Ohio State (38) 0-0 1741
2 Oregon (6) 0-0 1637
3 Georgia (7) 0-0 1591
4 Texas (2) 0-0 1544
5 Notre Dame (5) 0-0 1524
6 Indiana (14) 0-0 1522
7 Miami 0-0 1409
8 Texas A&M 0-0 1174
9 Oklahoma 0-0 1104
10 Ole Miss 0-0 1096
11 Alabama 0-0 1050
12 Texas Tech 0-0 1034
13 LSU 0-0 951
14 USC 0-0 838
15 BYU 0-0 781
16 Michigan 0-0 719
17 Penn State 0-0 463
18 Tennessee 0-0 428
19 Washington 0-0 406
20 SMU 0-0 378
21 Utah 0-0 313
22 Iowa 0-0 291
23 Clemson 0-0 235
24 Houston 0-0 194
25 Missouri 0-0 158

Others receiving votes: Louisville 153, Florida 147, TCU 63, Illinois 62, South Carolina 50, Arizona 50, Virginia 40, Vanderbilt 37, Auburn 29, Georgia Tech 26, Boise State 24, Oklahoma State 22, UNLV 17, NC State 13, Florida State 13, Virginia Tech 12, Nebraska 12, Memphis 9, Arizona State 8, James Madison 6, Duke 6, Pittsburgh 4, New Mexico 4, Western Michigan 3, Navy 3, San Diego State 2, Kansas State 1, Hawai’i 1, Jacksonville State 1, California 1

 




2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List

2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the Creator and Sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, Recognizing the College Football Season’s Outstanding FBS Receiver at Any Position, Announces the 2026 Preseason Biletnikoff Award Watch List

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver. Tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist in 2020 and other tight ends were semifinalists in prior and subsequent years. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award is a single season, not career, award.

Frank Coyle has been a longtime voter in the Biletnifott Award. He considers this award one of the most critical positions which translates to the NFL game. 

The Biletnikoff Award’s semifinalists, three finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 625 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. Foundation trustees do not vote and have never voted. For a list of voters, please see BiletnikoffAward.com/voters.

Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

Important Dates

Aug. 19, 2026:
Preseason Watch List announcement

Sept. 23, 2026:
FanVote opens

Nov. 9 – 15, 2026:
Vote by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee to determine Semifinalists

Nov. 16, 2026:
Semifinalists announcement

Nov. 16 – 22, 2026:
Vote to determine 3 Finalists

Nov. 24, 2026:
3 Finalists announcement

Nov. 24 – Dec. 5, 2026 :
Final vote to determine Biletnikoff Award Winner

Dec. 11, 2026:
Biletnikoff Award Winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards

The Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration
honors the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Winner on Saturday, March 20, 2027, at the basketball arena at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida 32301

 

 




Butkus Award Announces 2026 Collegiate Watch List

Butkus Award Announces 2026 Watch List For 42nd Season

The Butkus Foundation announced their preseason watch list for the 42nd annual Butkus Award, presented each year to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. The 51-player watch list honors Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey and recognizes the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character that defined one of the greatest defensive players in football history.  Photo – Ray Coney – Texas A&M

Frank Coyle has been a longtime voter in the Butkus Award since the 1990s. He had a long friendship with Dick that spanned over three decades and enjoyed the HOF Mike backer immensely as a special friend and athlete.

The 2026 watch list features 51 linebackers representing 42 colleges and universities from across the country. Returning All-Americans, All-Conference performers, and emerging defensive standouts from across the Football Bowl Subdivision are among this year’s candidates.

The Butkus Award remains one of college football’s most respected individual honors, recognizing linebackers whose performance reflects the standard established by Dick Butkus more than six decades ago at the University of Illinois and throughout his Hall of Fame NFL career.

The 2026 watch list includes representatives from seven conferences, led by the SEC (14), Big Ten (12), Big 12 (12) and ACC (9), with additional representatives from the MAC (1) and Mountain West (1), along with two Independents. Virginia’s Kam Robinson is the only returning semifinalist.

Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on October 28th, finalists on November 20th, and the winner will be revealed during the week of December 7th. Selection is based on performance throughout the season, and appearance on the preseason watch list is not required for a player to win the Award.

The recipient will be recognized during the Butkus Award celebration in early 2027 and featured in the annual Big Ten Network Butkus Award special.

The 51-member Butkus Award Selection Committee is comprised of coaches, professional scouts, former players, and members of the media from across the country. Committee members evaluate candidates using the same qualities that defined Dick Butkus throughout his career: instincts, toughness, leadership, competitiveness, football character, and consistent excellence at the linebacker position.

The 2025 Butkus Award winners included collegiate winner Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech, now with the Miami Dolphins; high school winner Tyler Atkinson of Grayson High School, now at the University of Texas; and professional winner Jack Campbell of the Detroit Lions.

About the Butkus Award

Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award® honors the nation’s top linebackers at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels while preserving the legacy of Dick Butkus through excellence in football, cardiovascular health advocacy, and youth character development. Through the Butkus Foundation’s Takes Heart™ initiative and partnership with Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the Foundation supports education, research, and expanded access to preventive cardiovascular screening. The Foundation also promotes natural athletic performance through its longstanding I Play Clean® initiative.

The Butkus Award® is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards recognize National Players of the Week each Tuesday.

Butkus Award 2026 Collegiate Watch List

Xe’ree Alexander, Washington
Xavier Atkins, Auburn
Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota
Rasheem Biles, Texas
Troy Bowles, Michigan
Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame**
Sammy Brown, Clemson**
Taye Brown, Arizona
Gary Bryant, Syracuse
Amare Campbell, Tennessee
Arion Carter, Tennessee
Owen Chambliss, Nebraska
Chris Cole, Georgia
Ray Coney, Texas A&M
Jahleel Culbreath, UCF
John Curry, Texas Tech
TJ Dottery, LSU
Kooper Ebel, Penn State
Jaxton Eck, New Mexico
Kyle Efford, Georgia Tech
Myles Graham, Florida
Jordan Hall, Michigan State
Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Owen Heineke, Oklahoma
Isaiah Jones, Indiana
Gideon Lampron, Colorado
Trey Lathan, Kansas
Liona Lefau, Colorado
Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
Owen Long, Arizona State
Braylan Lovelace, Pittsburgh
Luke Mergott, Duke
Jayden Montgomery, Iowa
Blayne Myrick, Miami-Ohio
Sammy Omosigho, UCLA
Mason Posa, Wisconsin
Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
Kam Robinson, Virginia*
Austin Romaine, Texas Tech
Matt Rose, Stanford
Peyton Seelman, North Carolina
Keaton Thomas, Mississippi
Jonathan Thompson, Cincinnati
Mohamed Toure, Miami-Fla.
Cade Uluave, BYU
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
Whit Weeks, LSU
Ethan Wesloski, Oklahoma State
Raylen Wilson, Georgia
Daniel Wingate, Maryland
Caleb Woodson, Alabama

* — Returning Semifinalist
** — High School Butkus Award Winner




Paul Hornung Award Watch List

Paul Hornung 2026 Award Watch List

Now in its 17th season, the Paul Hornung Award is presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football. The award honors the legacy of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. This year’s winner and his family will be honored in March 2027 at the annual Paul Hornung Award Dinner presented by UofL Health at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.

Past Winners
2025: KC Concepcion (WR/RS, Texas A&M)
2024: Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
2023: Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
2022: Jack Colletto (QB/FB/LB/ST, Oregon State)
2021: Marcus Jones (CB/WR/RS, Houston)
2020: DeVonta Smith (WR/RS, Alabama)
2019: Lynn Bowden Jr. (QB/WR/RS, Kentucky)
2018: Rondale Moore (WR/RS, Purdue)
2017: Saquon Barkley (RB/RS, Penn State)
2016: Jabrill Peppers (QB/WR/RB/LB/DB/RS, Michigan)
2015: Christian McCaffrey (RB/RS, Stanford)
2014: Shaq Thompson (RB/LB/S, Washington)
2013: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR/RS, LSU)
2012: Tavon Austin (WR/RB/RS, West Virginia)
2011: Brandon Boykin (WR/CB/RS, Georgia)
2010: Owen Marecic (FB/LB, Stanford)

 




John Mackey Award Announces Preseason Watchlist

John Mackey Award Announces 2026 Preseason Watchlist

make it more of a graphic and add the words 2026 Preseason Watchlist.jpg

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

The John Mackey Award announced its 2026 Preseason Watch List, recognizing the nation’s top collegiate tight ends entering the 2026 college football
season. The watchlist represents programs from every level of major college football and highlights players who have demonstrated talent, leadership and potential heading into the upcoming season. The John Mackey Award Selection Committee will continue to evaluate candidates throughout the season, with additional players eligible to be added based on their on-field performance. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame annually presents the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award to the best defensive back in college football.

Frank Coyle has been a long time voter in NCAA awards including the Heisman, Bronko Nagurski, Lombardi, Dick Butkus, Jim Thorpe awards etcs for over 30 years.  

Presented annually to the most outstanding tight end in college football, the John Mackey Award honors the legacy of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey, whose excellence, leadership, character, and impact on the game continue to inspire generations of student-athletes. Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the award remains one of college football’s premier individual honors for the tight end position.

John Mackey was a unicorn for the position in the 1960s before tight ends were highlighted as receivers. He was the complete player for the position and excelled as both a collegian and NFL player. He was inducted into the HOF after a brilliant career with the Baltimore Colts.  He set the standard for the position which depicts the importance and impact for the modern tight end performer.

Player School
Benjamin Brahmer Penn State
Brett Norfleet Missouri
Brody Foley Louisville
Bruin Fleischmann Montana State
Cade Keith New Mexico
Carter Moses Kansas
Chris Corbo Georgia Tech
Decker DeGraaf Washington
DJ Vonnahme Iowa
Dorian Flemming Maryland
Dorian Thomas Cal
Dylan Wade UCF
Eli Finley Louisiana Tech
Elija Lofton Miami (FL)
Ethan Davis Tennessee
Gabe Burkle Penn State
Garrett Oakley Kansas St
Houston Thomas Texas A&M
Player School
Hunter Welcing Ohio State
Jaden Platt Arkansas
Jamari Johnson Oregon
Jelani Thurman UNC
Jeremiah Hasley Duke
Jeron Askren Missouri State
JJ Buchanan Michigan
Joshua Long Eastern Michigan
Juice Vereen Colorado State
Lawson Luckie Georgia
Luke Hasz Ole Miss
Luke Lindermeyer Nebraska
Luke Reynolds Virginia Tech
Matt Wagner Boise State
Michael Masunas Texas
Patrick Overmyer Houston
Peter Clarke Temple
Randy Pittman Jr SMU
Player School
Richie Anderson Texas A&M
Terik Mulder Kent State
Terrance Carter Jr. Texas Tech
Toby Payne Marshall
Trey’Dez Green LSU
Walker Lyons BYU
Willie Rodriguez Kentucky

The John Mackey Award is a proud member of the NCFAA which encompasses 25 of
the most prestigious awards in college football, dating back to 1935, honoring more
than 950 recipients. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists
over a 15-day period. Visit NCFAA.org to learn more.
NCFAA 2025 Preseason Watchlist Calenda




Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Announced by FWAA

Corner Leonard Moore along with edge defenders Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons head the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. They are among the 11 returning players who were named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List from last fall

Corners Leonard Moore and Zabien Brown along with edge defenders Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons head the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. They are part of 68 players named to the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced.

The Southeastern Conference leads the nation with 17 players on the watch list.  By position, the list includes 21 linebackers, 16 safeties (including one designated nickel back), 13 defensive ends, 10 defensive tackles and eight cornerbacks.

Frank Coyle has been a voter in the Bronko Nagurski award since the mid 1990’s along with all the major college football awards – Heisman, Jim Thorpe, Lombardi, Dick Butkus, John Mackey, Paul Hornung etc

Moore, Brown, Stewart and Simmons are among the 11 returning players who were on the Nagurski Trophy Watch List last fall.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the defensive player of the year award on Nov. 19. The official presentation to the recipient of the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 7.

Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the 2026 season. As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935.

2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Melkart Abou Jaoude, DE, North Carolina

Xavier Atkins, LB, Auburn

Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas

KJ Bolden, S, Georgia

Drayk Bowen, LB, Notre Dame

Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson

Taye Brown, LB, Arizona

Zabien Brown, CB, Alabama

Kemari Copeland, DT, Virginia Tech

John Henry Daley, DE, Michigan

CJ Doggette Jr., DT, Florida Atlantic

Will Echoles, DT, Ole Miss

Jaxton Eck, LB, New Mexico

Koen Entringer, S, Louisville

Tre’Quon Fegans, CB, Jax State

Amare Ferrell, S, Indiana

Brandon Finney Jr., CB, Oregon

C.J. Fite, DT, Arizona State

Bryce Fitzgerald, S, Miami

Blake Fletcher, LB, Air Force

Josh Franklin, NB, Western Michigan

Isaiah Glasker, LB, BYU

Brevin Hamblin, S, Utah State

Rolijah Hardy, LB, Indiana

Simeon Harris, S, Fresno State

A.J. Holmes Jr., DT, Texas Tech

Baron Hopson, LB, Kennesaw State

Bray Hubbard, S, Alabama

Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE, Ohio State

Will James, CB, Houston

Jamel Johnson, S, TCU

Isaiah Jones, LB, Indiana

Kelley Jones, CB, Mississippi State

Dylan LaBarbera, DE, Nevada

Kip Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

Bryce Llewellyn, S, Eastern Michigan

Clev Lubin, DE, Louisville

Zach Lutmer, S, Iowa

Jaylen McClain, S, Ohio State

Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Ahmad Moten Sr., DT, Miami

Koi Perich, S, Oregon

Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss

Colton Phares, LB, App State

Brice Pollock, CB, Texas Tech

Marcus Ratcliffe, S, Texas A&M

Ty Redmond, CB, Tennessee

Ben Roberts, LB, Texas Tech

Kam Robinson, LB, Virginia

Matt Rose, LB, Stanford

Faletau Satuala, S, BYU

Colin Simmons, DE, Texas

Anthony Smith, DE, Minnesota

Donnie Smith, DE, Troy

Dylan Stewart, DE, South Carolina

David Stone, DT, Oklahoma

MJ Stroud, DE, Georgia Southern

Jack Tchienchou, S, Tulane

Boubacar Traore, DT, Notre Dame

Tyrique Tucker, DT, Indiana

Cade Uluave, LB, BYU

Princewill Umanmielen, DE, LSU

Jayden Virgin-Morgan, DE, Boise State

A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

Whit Weeks, LB, LSU




HBCU Legacy Bowl 2026

HBCU Legacy Bowl 2026

Staff @draftinsiders.com

The final All-Star game of the postseason is here. The Historically Black College and University Legacy Bowl will be played Saturday, Feb. 21st in New Orleans, La. at Yulman Stadium on the campus of Tulane University. The  HBCU Legacy Bowl is presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame, is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The HBCU schools have produced countless NFL players with many of the greatest stars in NFL history coming from the litany of schools like Grambling State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Hampton, South Carolina State, Texas Southern and  Morgan State to name a few. The NFL Hall of Fame features many small college stars from the HBCU who have become the core of the foundation of the game’s greatest players.

HBCU Legacy Bowl – Rosters

3:00 pm ct • Saturday, February 21, 2026
Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA

Team Gaither

#     Player               Position                  Ht/Wt     School

3 Walker Harris, QB                            6’1, 196, NCCU

8 Kelvin Durham, QB                           6’3, 211, Johnson C. Smith

15 William Atkins, QB                           6’1, 215, SC State

0 Curtis Allen, RB                                  6’2, 215, Virginia Union

1 Christian Mosley, RB                        5’11, 180, NCCU

25 JaQuan Kelly, RB                             5’11, 190, Winston-Salem

7 Deandre Proctor, WR                      6’3, 210, Johnson C. Smith

6 JJ Evans, WR                                    6’3, 203, Norfolk State

14 Malik Hunter, WR                         5’11, 160, Virginia State

17 Chauncey Spikes, WR                  6’2, 210, NCCU

18 Dre’Sean Kendrick, WR              5’9, 190, Norfolk State

23 Jordan Smith, WR                       5’11, 180, SC State

86 Kahlil Ashley-Diarrah, TE          6’5, 250, Fayetteville State

27 Caden Davis, TE                          6’4, 240, Fayetteville State

62 Noah McKinney, OL                  6’4, 300, NCCU

58 Jerrod Burell, OL                       6’4, 315, Morgan State

69 Trevyon Branch, OL                 6’3, 290, Morgan State

73 Roger Smith, OL                        6’4, 330, SC State

66 VincentByrd Jr., OL                6’3, 305, Norfolk State

59 Korion Sharpe, OL                  6’4, 315, NC A&T

74 Bruno Onwuazor, OL            6’8, 320, Virginia State

75 Cesar Reyes, OL                       6’7, 310, Howard

68 Daniel Bostic, OL                   6’3, 292, Kentucky State

67 Keith Chambless, OL           6’5, 301, Livingstone College

11 Michael Lunz, DL                   6’3, 245, SC State

4 Jamal Jones, DL                      6’2, 242, Bowie State

9 James Stewart, DL                6’3, 248, Tennessee State

24 Tim Alderman, DL              6’3, 215, NC A&T

56 Quincy Robinson, DL        6’3, 235, Delaware State

22 Shawn Robinson, DL        6’3, 246, Fayetteville State

91 Noah Miles, DL                    6’3, 255, Howard

92 Christian Smith, DL          6’2, 285, NCCU

40 Erick Hunter, LB               6’4, 220, Morgan State

5 Matthew Leach, LB              6’3, 220, Fayetteville State

10 Harold O’Neal III, LB       6’1, 215, Hampton

13 Jupe Alston, LB                   5’10, 225, Winston-Salem

33 Chris Calhoun III, LB       6’1, 225, Elizabeth City State

54 Max U’Ren, LB                     6’2, 240, NCCU

16 Aaron Harris, DB               5’11, 185, NC A&T

28 Jelani Vassell, DB              5’11, 180, NCCU

20 Jadon Carter, DB               5’11, 190, Morgan State

2 Samuel Graham, DB/LB    6’1, 208, Bowie State

19 TJ Taybron, DB                    6’1, 166, Johnson C. Smith

21 Jordan Williams, DB        6’1, 180, Bowie State

26 Brenyen Scott, DB             6’0, 204, SC State

32 Evan Powell, DB                 5’10, 180, Winston-Salem

29 Day’lan Long, DB               5’11, 190, Norfolk State

Jadarrius Perkins, DB           6ʻ0, 193, Delaware State

39 Andrew Brown IV, K        5’9, 185, NC A&T

37 Elliot Janish, P                    6’4, 205, SC State

Team Robinson

#     Player                    Position              Ht/Wt     School

2 Cam’Ron Ransom, QB                        6’3, 220, Bethune-Cookman

15 Cameron Peters, QB                          6’4, 207, Prairie View A&M

12 Noah Bodden, QB                               6’4, 220, Edward Waters

28 JaCorian Sewell, RB                        5’9, 195, Alcorn State

24 Jerodd Sims, RB                                 5’11, 215, Florida Memorial

26 Reggie Davis, RB                                 6’1, 205, Alcorn State

19 Donerio Davenport, RB                   6’1, 210, Jackson State

4 Jon McCall, WR                                    6’3, 200, Kentucky State

3 Armone Harris, WR                           5’9, 160, Clark Atlanta

11 Makai Lovett, WR                              6’1, 220, Edward Waters

18 Cameron Nelson, WR                      6’1, 190, Miss. Valley State

17 Ronnie West, WR                               6’0, 178, Clark Atlanta

81 Trenton Leary, WR                          5’11, 159, Texas Southern

5 Dupree Fuller, TE                               6’3, 225, Southern

13 Travunta Abner, TE                        6’2, 249, Alabama A&M

80 Covadis Knighten, TE                   6’2, 280, Grambling State

74 D’Andre Towns-Blue, OL             6’5, 334, Jackson State

71 Ashton Grable, OL                           6’4, 315, Florida A&M,

62 Charles Davis, OL                           6’5, 330, Florida A&M

75 Cameron Smith, OL                       6’7, 354, Alabama State

70 Desmond Daniels, OL                  6’5, 309, Alabama State

78 Jeremiah Frazier, OL                   6’2, 322, Alabama State

50 Christian Loving, OL                    6’3, 315, Bethune-Cookman

77 Tramel Brown, OL                         6’2, 320, Alcorn State

70 Darius Meeks, OL                          6’4, 330, Grambling State

66 Quentin Ross, OL                          6’4, 320, Grambling State

1 Ckelby Givens, DL                            6’2, 245, Southern

48 Israel Nwokocha, DL                   6’2, 250, Benedict

6 Quincy Ivory, DL                             6’3, 239, Jackson State

45 Bryce Cage, DL                              6’5, 269, Grambling State

10 Warren Robinson, DL               6’4, 250, Grambling State

96 Michael Akins, DL                       6’2, 255, Texas Southern

99 Jeremiah Williams, DL             6’2, 314, Jackson State

90 Tony Rountree, DL                     6’3, 330, Savannah State

34 Isaiah Stephens, LB                    6’2, 205, Benedict

0 Domonique Davis II, LB             5’11, 204, Central State

22 Darrian Bell, LB                           6’2, 230, Savannah State

33 Jalil Lenore, LB                            6’1, 225, Alabama State

20 Stemarion Edwards, LB           6’0, 220, Alcorn State

7 Reid Pulliam, LB                             6’3, 229, Jackson State

8 Carlos Dunovant Jr., DB            6’1, 192, Morehouse

16 Darnell Stephens, DB                6’1, 186, Fort Valley State

25 Mikael King, DB                           5’10, 175, Tuskegee

14 Markel Linzer, DB                       6’0, 185, Grambling State

31 Blake Davis, DB                             6’0, 184, Grambling State

9 Antwone Watts, DB                       6’1, 215, Bethune-Cookman

27 Travor Randle, DB                      5’10, 205, Prairie View A&M

21 Darius Stokes, DB                       6’0, 205, Florida Memorial

29 Deontre Morris, DB                   6’0, 185, Alabama State

Lule Rose, DB                                     6ʻ2, 188, Southern University

55 Marko Jovisic, K                         6’2, 215, Miss. Valley State

95 Johnny Schifano, P                   5’9, 180, Grambling State

 




Draft Insiders’ 2025 All-America Teams

Draft Insiders’ 2025 All-America Teams

Frank Coyle & Staff

Offensive Player of the Year
QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana

Defensive Player of the Year
LB Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech

Special Teams Player of the Year
PK Tate Sandell, Junior, Oklahoma

Freshman of the Year
Offense – WR Malachi Toney, Miami
Defense – DB DJ Pickett, LSU

Draft Insiders’ All-America Teams

Frank Coyle & Staff

First Team
Offense

QB Fernando Mendoza, Junior, Indiana
RB Jeremiyah Love, Junior, Notre Dame
RB Ahmad Hardy, Soph, Missouri
WR Makai Lemon, Junior, USC
WR Jeremiah Smith, Soph, Ohio State
WR Carnell Tate, Junior, Ohio State
TE Eli Stowers, Graduate, Vanderbilt
OT Francis Mauigoa, Junior, Miami
OT Spencer Fano, Junior, Utah
OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Senior, Oregon
OG Olaivavega Ioane, Junior, Penn State
C Logan Jones, Graduate, Iowa

All-Purpose KC Concepcion, Junior, Texas A&M
PK Tate Sandell, Junior, Oklahoma

Draft Insiders’ 2025 December Newsletter out next week – Top 150 Prospects, Three Round Mock Draft, Declared Underclassmen etc
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Defense

Edge David Bailey, Senior, Texas Tech
Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Junior, Miami
DT Kayden McDonald, Junior, Ohio State
DT Peter Woods, Senior, Clemson
LB Arvell Reese, Junior, Ohio State
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Senior, Texas Tech
LB CJ Allen, Junior, Georgia
CB Mansoor Delane, Senior, LSU
CB Leonard Moore, Soph, Notre Dame
S Caleb Downs, Junior, Ohio State
S Dillon Thieneman, Junior, Oregon

DB D’Angelo Ponds, Junior, Indiana
P Brett Thorson, Senior, Georgia

Second Team
Offense

QB Diego Pavia, Graduate, Vanderbilt
RB Emmett Johnson, Junior, Nebraska
RB Kewan Lacy, Soph, Ole Miss
WR Skylar Bell, Senior, UConn
WR Malachi Toney, Freshman, Miami
WR Danny Scudero, Soph, San Jose State
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Junior, Oregon
OT Caleb Lomu, Senior, Utah
OT Kadyn Proctor, Junior, Alabama
OG Beau Stephens, Senior, Iowa
OG Cayden Green, Senior, Missouri
C Connor Lew, Junior, Auburn

All-Purpose Ryan Niblett, Soph, Texas
PK Kansei Matsuzawa, Senior, Hawaii

Defense

Edge Cashius Howell, Senior, Texas A&M
Edge John Henry Daley, Soph, Utah
DT A.J. Holmes, Junior, Texas Tech
DT Landon Robinson, Senior, Navy
LB Sonny Syles, Senior, Ohio State
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Junior, Texas
LB Red Murdock, Graduate, Buffalo
CB Chris Johnson, Senior, San Diego State
CB Avieon Terrell, Junior, Clemson
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Senior, Toledo
S Bishop Fitzgerald, Senior, USC

DB Hezekiah Masses, Senior, Cal
P Cole Maynard, Senior, Western Kentucky

Third Team
Offense

QB Julian Sayin, Freshman, Ohio State
RB LJ Martin, Junior, BYU
RB Kaytron Allen, Senior, Penn State
WR Chris Brazzell II, Junior, Tennessee
WR Jordyn Tyson, Junior, Arizona State
WR Denzel Boston,Junior, Washington
TE Michael Trigg, Senior, Baylor
OT Carter Smith, Junior, Indiana
OT Brian Parker II, Junior, Duke
OG Keylan Rutledge, Senior, Georgia Tech
OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Graduate, Texas A&M
C Jake Slaughter, Senior, Florida

All-Purpose Jadarian Price, Junior, Notre Dame
PK Dominic Zvada, Senior, Michigan

Defense

Edge Caden Curry, Senior, Ohio State
Edge Nadame Tucker, Senior, Western Michigan
DT Lee Hunter, Senior, Texas Tech
DT Tyrique Tucker, Junior, Indiana
LB Caden Fordham, Graduate, NC State
LB Aiden Fisher, Senior, Indiana
LB Owen Long, Soph, Colorado State
CB Jakari Foster, Senior, Louisiana Tech
CB Willie Lee III, Senior, Texas A&M
S Michael Taaffe, Senior, Texas
S Louis Moore, Senior, Indiana

DB Bray Hubbard, Junior, Alabama
P Ryan Eckley, Junior, Michigan State




Mendoza Wins Heisman Trophy Award

Mendoza Wins Heisman Trophy Award

NEW YORK — QB Fernando Mendoza of #1 Indiana, won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, becoming the first Hoosier to win college football’s most prestigious award since its inception in 1935.

Mendoza claimed 2,362 points, including 643 first-place votes. He beat Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (1,435 points), Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (719 points) and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (432 points).

Frank Coyle voted for Fernando Mendoza. He is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 34 years.

Mendoza lead the Hoosiers to their first #1 ranking and the top seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, winning the Big Ten Championship in the process. He threw for 2,980 yards and a national-best 33 TD passes while also running for 6 scores. Indiana, the last unbeaten team in major college football, will play in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented on Jan. 1st after a bye week next weekend in the opening round.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti was in attendance at the ceremony. As Mendoza greeted Cignetti after winning, the coach simply said, “Great job, bro. You deserve that one.”

Mendoza was a first-year starter at Indiana after transferring from California and set new team records for TDs and points during last season’s surprise run to the CFP. He is the second Heisman finalist in school history, joining 1989 runner-up Anthony Thompson. Mendoza is the seventh Indiana player to earn a top-10 finish in Heisman balloting, and it marks another first in program history: having back-to-back players in the top 10. Hoosiers QB Kurtis Rourke was ninth last season.

“This trophy might have my name on it,” Mendoza said at the lectern, again acknowledging his teammates back on campus. “But it belongs to all of you, it belongs, for the first time, in Bloomington. Playing in front of Hoosier Nation is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

Quarterbacks have won the Heisman in four of the past five years, with two-way player Travis Hunter of Colorado ending the run last season.

The Heisman Trophy presentation came after several accolades were already awarded. Mendoza was named The Associated Press player of the year earlier this week and picked up the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards Friday night, and Love won the Doak Walker Award.

 




2025 Heisman Top Ten Finalists Released

2025 Heisman Top Ten Finalists Released

Heisman Trust Announces 2025 Balloting Results for Rankings Five through Ten

NEW YORK (December 10, 2025) – The fifth through tenth spots in the 2025 Heisman balloting were released Thursday night (Dec. 11) on The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Finalists Show Presented by Nissan that aired live on ESPN.

The six standouts that complete the 2025 Heisman Trophy Top 10 complement the top four finishers that were announced Monday, which include (listed alphabetically) Notre Dame junior running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana senior quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt senior quarterback Diego Pavia and Ohio State freshman quarterback Julian Sayin.

Joining the four finalists are fifth-place Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, sixth-place Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, seventh-place Georgia junior quarterback Gunner Stockton, eighth-place Mississippi senior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, ninth-place Ohio State junior safety Caleb Downs and 10th-place Georgia Tech senior quarterback Haynes King.

The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced during the Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan that will air Saturday (Dec. 13) at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.

Ohio State’s three top 10 finishers mark the seventh time in the last eight years that there has been at least two players from the same team in the Heisman Top 10 balloting and the first time there has been three in the Top 10 since Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones and Najee Harris finished first, third and fifth, respectively.

Rodriguez is Texas Tech’s highest finisher since 2008 when Red Raider teammates Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Rodriguez’s fifth-place Heisman finish is the highest among strictly defensive players since Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was second in 2021. Rodriguez and Downs are the first pair of defensive players to finish in the Heisman Top 10 since the trio of Hutchinson, fifth-place Alabama linebacker Will Anderson and ninth-place Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis.

Smith is the first strictly receiver to finish in the top 10 since fellow Buckeye Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2023.

Stockton is Georgia’s highest finisher since Bulldog quarterback and Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett was fourth in 2022.

Chambliss is Mississippi’s highest finisher since quarterback Matt Corral’s seventh-place finish in 2021.

King is the first player from Georgia Tech to finish in the top 10 since wide receiver Calvin Johnson was also 10th in 2006. The highest Yellowjacket finisher before that was the program’s only finalist, quarterback Joe Hamilton, who was second in 1999.

Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for over 30 years. He votes in many major awards over that period. He reveals his Heisman Trophy vote after the winning announcement.

About The Heisman Trophy Trust:The Heisman Trophy Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is annually awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the United States whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Trust seeks to harness the power of sports to improve young

people’s lives. The Trust draws on the Heisman Trophy’s legacy of athletic excellence to support and fund youth development programs in underserved communities, granting millions of dollars annually to programs that employ sports and education to provide young people with academic support, athletic development, life skills training, and opportunities for healthy activities rooted in the values of the Heisman. Additionally, the Trust annually presents the Heisman Humanitarian Award to outstanding individuals in the sports world whose charitable work furthers the Heisman mission. www.Heisman.com

The Heisman Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association. NCFAA